with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️In this chapter, the Apostle exhorts the Galatians to stand firm in the liberty of Christ and not to be brought again under bondage of the law. He says that if they go on to depend on circumcision for salvation they would derive no benefit from the sacrifice of Christ. They will be binding themselves into a perfect legal position and so would be renouncing Christ altogether and falling away from grace. He exhorts them to know the truth which he had preached to them and to follow after the biddings of the Spirit of God and not after the lusts of the flesh.
*1️⃣Galatians 5:1- 15:Believers in Christ are free from works of the flesh but circumcision binds mankind to the law of works.*
⏹️By the death of Christ all believers are set free from the bondage of the law of ceremonies and circumcision. In Christ, the fulfilments of all the laws,believers should live as free people. They have set free by the death, sacrifice and mediation of Christ on their behalf. The Apostle says, *"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love"(Galatians 5:6).*
⏭️If they go back to circumcision thinking that it is necessary for salvation then Christ would be of no use for them as they will be bound to keep the requirements of the whole law. The Apostle speaking of Abraham says, *"And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also"(Romans 4:11).*
⏹️Believers should accept Christ through God’s grace and know that salvation has nothing to do with circumcision. Rather salvation is by faith and is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit who produces in believers a response of love in the lives of believers. The Apostle says, *"For circumcision truly profits, if you keep the law: but if you ** be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision"(Romans 2:25).*
*2️⃣Galatians 5:16-26: Works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit.*
⏹️Salvation is a daily walk with Christ or else believers may find out doing things opposed to their conscience because the sinful human nature fights against God’s Spirit within them. The Apostle says, *"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I"(Romans 7:14-15).*
⏭️The way believers triumph over these wrong desires and sinful lust is not by putting themselves under the law but by allowing God’s Spirit to direct their lives. The Apostle says, *"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God"(Romans 8:14).*
⏹️ The works of the flesh are so thus manifest such as adultery, fornication or sexual immorality uncleanness or impurity, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, divisions, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envy, murders,drunkenness, revelings, for such as practice these and many other evils will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Apostle says, *" For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God"(Ephesians 5:5).*
*"Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God"(1 Corinthians 6:10).*
⏭️But the fruit of the Spirit is fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control for to such who belong to Christ. The Psalmist says, *"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper"(Psalm 1:3).*
⏭️ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. They no longer live to self or to satisfy the sinful flesh, but live by the Spirit and walk by the Spirit and are children of God. Jesus said, *" It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life"(John 6:63).*
*🅰️Appeal*
If therefore we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit as we profess to have received the Spirit of Christ. Let us therefore be renewed in the Spirit of Christ so that we are renewed in the spirit of our minds and bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so we as to have the privilege of being children of God. The Apostle John says, *"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is"(1John 3:2).*
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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